Only some of our plans ...

Saturday 3rd May

This is an event organised by Knit Now! magazine to remind people that there are alternatives to internet shopping. Book the date: Caroline has all sorts of ideas.

What do you get out of Christine's in Bournville that you don't get on line? Where to begin? 

• If it's yarn you want, you get to see the colours and squidge it for softness. 
• Patterns? There are 14 folders of baby patterns, lots of books of patterns, and then of course there's the adult stuff and the just-for-fun crafty patterns.
• Crochet hooks and knitting needles? We always have some in use in the shop so you can try before you buy.
• Someone on hand to help you work out pattern difficulties, or to show you new techniques.
• Haberdashery to solve most problems. (I'd never heard of bra extenders till I started taking up space at the shop!)

And this is just the start. Come and see!

Yesterday we had the Valentine crochet-with-Kate at the shop. There was lots of activity during the week; Doreen and Caroline did a major tidy of the workroom, then painted it as well! Julie bought a new rug, and the room looked really colourful and welcoming.

Sandie, Jenny, Carol and Diane all worked hard; there was a really great moment when Carol suddenly shouted out because she'd finished her heart and it looked brilliant. Next time I must remember to take a camera.

Caroline as always has inspired me to try something new; she'd made a big basket with scarf yarn, so I had to have a go.

Needless to say, I haven't darned the ends in yet! This is one ball of yarn and measures 7 inches across. I had to borrow Caroline's hook, but these tray/bowl/baskets could be addictive!

To give my fingers a rest I'm making up an old Paton's baby blanket pattern in 4-ply; no baby in mind, just wanted to make it:

Next up is a beginner's workshop; they will have a choice of granny squares or crochet in rows. In the shop I've been making a toddler's jacket out of 6 granny squares to show that they can be used for more than blankets. A photo on Facebook has inspired me to make something else rather whimsical - you'll have to wait to see what it is!

Then the next week we'll be making flowers. I hadn't realised until I started collecting them up for photos how many I've made! We'll offer a choice of techniques; maybe a simple flat flower:

Or a two-or-more tiers Irish rose:

Then this little beauty is absurdly simple: a rolled rose.

There will also be what I think of as a corsage flower - it has a back to it. Can't find any today so - horrors- I'll have to make another!

And a 3D flower that is made with separate petals; maybe a daffodil? Plenty of time to decide, so any requests will be considered!

I'm brooding over this:

I love these simple little blooms, made in a chain; they remind me of blossom. They might become violet and find their way into the Mother's Day crochet-along, or they might be blossom for the Easter one.

There are so many signs of Spring around. The snowdrops are out, and the great tits are singing (shouting?) their mating song. No doubt we will have some harsh weather before things really get going, but at least the promise is there.